The Genre Starter Guides series explores musical styles through a handful of essential albums. Each guide introduces listeners to a genre’s core sound and history while suggesting albums that make the best entry points.
If you’re curious about exploring new sounds, these music genre guides introduce the essential albums that define each style.
And if you’d rather explore other genres through a favorite artist, check out our If You Like This Artist series.
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An Art-Pop Starter Guide (For Listeners Willing to Sit With the Strange)
Art-pop has always existed in a slightly uncomfortable space. It borrows the structure of pop music but resists pop’s usual promises. The hooks are there, but they can… Continue Reading
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A Beginner’s Guide to Krautrock
There’s no question that krautrock can seem intimidating. For a lot of listeners, the name alone feels off-putting. It sounds rigid. Mechanical. Like something you’re supposed to study… Continue Reading
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A Beginner’s Guide to Experimental Rock Albums
When I was younger, I would roll my eyes at albums labeled “experimental” and wouldn’t even bother checking them out. Not because I wasn’t interested in a different… Continue Reading
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A Beginner’s Guide to Shoegaze
How to Listen When the Music Blurs Shoegaze can feel disorienting the first time you hear it. The guitars are loud but indistinct. The vocals feel buried, almost… Continue Reading
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Beginner’s Guide to Trip-Hop: Five Albums That Open the Door
Trip-hop is one of those genres that you almost feel before you understand. It’s late-night music. Music for walking home with your hood up. Music for thinking, or… Continue Reading
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Beginner’s Guide to Film Scores
Emotion in musical form, written to move you even when no one is speaking. Film scores are often the gateway to instrumental music. You already know how these… Continue Reading